Process and apparatus for conditioning commodities



Nov. 17, 1936.

F. J. REILLY PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR CONDITIONING COMMODITIES Origin al Filed Sept. 3, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l F. J. REILLY Nov. 17, 1936.

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR CONDITIONING COMMODITIES Original Filed Sept. 5, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 17, 1936 PATENT OFFICE PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR CONDI- TIONING COMMODITIES Frank J. Reilly, Miami, Fla., assignor to Produce Conditioners, Inc., Miami, Fla., a co poration of Florida Continuation of application Serial No. 39,044,

September 3, 1935. 1936, Serial No. 78,498

This application-May "I,

12 Claims. (01. 98-6) This invention relates to air conditioning, and more particularly has reference to the conditioning of commodities in a car or other chamber. While the invention will be described with re- 5 spect to the preconditioning of freight cars, it will be appreciated that the inventive concept is of far greater application.

The present application is a continuation of application Serial No. 39,044, filed September 3, '1935.

One of the principal difiiculties encountered in air conditioning is the securing and maintenance of a proper circulation of air. This assumes particular importance when commodities 5 or produce are conditioned in a car because of problems which are peculiar thereto.

' One of the objects of this invention is to overcome such disadvantages.

Another object of this invention is to provide 20 a process and apparatus for the effective conditioning of commodities and produce in railway cars.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a process and apparatus for insuring the uniform distribution and passage of conditioned air throughout the entire contents of a freight car.

To accomplish the above and other important objects, this invention in general embraces the idea of introducing air of the desired characteristics into a chamber containing the' commodities at such a point, so directing its path, and withdrawing air from the chamber at such a point, that the conditioned air will pass throughout the mass of commodities. More specifically, the conditioned air is introduced above the mass of commodities, passing into such mass at points remote from the point of exit, and then passing through the'mass to the point of exit from the chamber.

In the preferred form, air is introduced above the mass of commodities and withdrawn at a point directly beneath, and a substantially airimpervious cover is placed over the mass adjacent the points of entry and exit to thereby prevent short-circuitingand to insure passage of the air throughout the mass.

In the accompanying drawings there is depicted one specific arrangement to carry out the invention, it being understood, of course, that various modifications may be made therein without exceeding the scope of the inventive concept.

In these drawings, in which corresponding numerals refer to the same parts Figure l is atop plan viewof a loaded freight d-icates generally a freight car.

car with a conditioning unit in operative position and with a. portion of the top of the car broken away.

Figure 2 is a sectional view along the line 22 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a view along the line 3-3 of Figure 1,'looking in the direction of the arrows.

This invention applies generally to the conditioning of goods located in a chamber, but it finds particular application in the conditioning of produce that is located in a freight car preparatory to shipping. By conditioning is meant cooling, heating, hydrating, dehydrating, cleaning or any other desired treatment.

In the drawings I have shown my invention as applied to the conditioning of the load of a freight car as mentioned above, and the numeral l in- This car may be either ofthe refrigerator type or of the plain box car type. In the drawings I have shown a conventional refrigerator car comprising a storage chamber 2 and ice bunkers 3. The bunker walls I may be of solid construction and provided with an upper opening 5 and lower opening 6, or they may be of the screen type.

Drain racks I may be provided in the bunkers to support the ice.

I'heinvention may be practiced in a car that has been pre-iced or not. Furthermore, the conditioning which will be hereinafter described, particularly if it is a cooling process, may be supplemented by filling the bunkers with ice prior to indicated by the numeral 8. The lading is supported by" racks 9, and is, preferably so arranged as to provide longitudinal channels II. In the drawings I have shown a normal loading of the products, and it will be appreciated of course, that a greater or lesser load may be placed in the car. I

The usual doors I! are provided in the center of "the car, and in practicing the invention the doors on one side of the car are opened and there is I inserted in the doorway flush with the inner wall of the car side, a false door l3. The door [3 is provided with an opening it 'in its top portion and with an opening l5 near its base. These openings are for the'admission and withdrawal of air to and from the car.

While the invention may be practiced with various types of apparatus for conditioning the air and consequently the load, it finds particular application in conjunction with a portable conditioning unit, indicated generally by the numeral Hi. In Figure 1 this unit is shown as mounted upon a truck and is provided with the necessary compressors, pumps and ancillary apparatus lo- .cated in the section I! on the chassis. Condensing elements I8 are likewise carried by the truck. and the air is conditionedin a diffusing element Ill. The diffuser is provided with a mouth 2| supporting a duct 22, preferably flexible. The duct 22 extends to and is secured in the opening M of the false door. A second mouth 23 is provided in the base of the diffuser l9 and likewise supports a duct 24 extending to and secured in the lower opening l5 of the false door.

As above mentioned, one of the problems in the conditioning of produce has been the securing and maintenance of a proper distribution of the conditioned air throughout the mass of produce. To insure such adequate circulation and distribution, this invention embraces the use of a substantially air impervious cover 25, which lies flat upon the top of the load. The size of this cover may vary according to the particular type of operation, but "it is usually desirable that it shall extend at least approximately one-third of the lengthpf the lading, and, with a fully loaded car, it is preferable to carry the cover to within five or six feet of the bunker walls of a refrigerator car, or the ends of a box car.

While I prefer that the cover shall be of heavy canvas or some other material to prevent the passage of air therethrough, under some conditions it may be desirable to permit a controlled amount of air to pass or seep through the cover. This of course may be effected by providing holes in the cover, or by using lighter material that would permit a seepage of air therethrough. Or again,

- the cover may be so constructed as to permit a varying seepage at different portions of its area.

This may be accomplished by the location of the but of course under certain conditions this may be departed from. A lip 26 may be provided for the cover extending into duct 22,and the ends of the cover, if desired, may be tacked to the top of the lading, as indicated at 21. It is obvious that the cover 25 prevents short-circuiting of the air between the ducts 22 and 24, and insures that the air shall pass through the lading in the vicinity of the ends, as well as through the center part of the lading.

Of course, it would be possible to introduce the air through either one of the openings II and I5 of the false door and withdraw it through the opposite opening, but it is decidedly preferable to introduce the air through the opening I! and withdraw air from the car through opening l5. By such a process the air is withdrawn through opening l5 and duct 24, passes through the diffusor l9 where it is conditioned, "and is then re-introduced to the. car through duct 22 and opening H. The vacant part of the chamber 2 (that is, between the top of the load and the top of the car) serves in effect as an expansion chamber to permit of the unimpeded and uniform distribution of air therein, and this is facilitated by the stream of incoming air being broken up upon striking the opposite side of the car, or rather the closed door on the opposite side.

As above indicated, the cover 25 prevents the incoming air from directly passing through the 7 mit the passage of. air therethrough.

The advantages of this invention are believed to be apparent. The incoming stream of air, which incidentally is usually introduced'at the rate of about 12,000 cubic feet a minute, is broken up by impacting the opposite side of the car;

There is then no obstruction to the uniform distribution of air in the air space above the lading, and in view of the fact that the air is introduced at the center of the car, this uniform distribution is facilitated. In order to enter the loading, the air must enter at the ends thereof in view of the presence of the cover 25, and in order to leave the car, it is necessary for the air to travel from such ends through the loading and toward the center. In this manner the entire load of the car is subjected to conditioned air to substantially the same extent, and consequently is uniformly conditioned,

Of course, the ease with which the apparatus may be arranged in operation, and the relative economy thereof, are readily apparent.

While there is shown and described the preferred embodiment of this invention, it is to be understood that it is not to be confined to the precise details of construction herein set forth, by way of illustration, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may be made therein, by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention, or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A method of conditioning a load in a freight car comprising withdrawing air from the load near the longitudinal center of the load and at a point below the load level, conditioning the air, introducing the conditioned air to the load receiving space of the car at a point above the load level, confining the airflow to a space above the load to prevent its introduction into the load through the top thereof substantially immediately above the first-named point, passing the air into the load relatively remote from the firstnamed point, and then passing the air through the load to the first-named point.

2. A method of conditioning a load in a freight car comprising withdrawing air from the load at a point below the-load level, conditioning the air, introducing the conditioned air to the load receiving space of the carat a point above the load level and near the longitudinal center of the load and confining the airflow to a space above the load to prevent its introduction into the load through the top thereof substantially immediately below the second-named point, passing the air into the load relatively remote from the firstnamed point, and then passing the air through the load to the first-named point.

3. A method of conditioning a load in a freight car comprising withdrawing air from the load near the center thereof and at a point below the load level, conditioning the air, introducing the conditioned air to the load receiving space of the car at a point above the load level and near the longitudinal center of the load, confining the airflow to a space above the load to prevent its introduction into the load through the top thereof at a point substantially immediately above the first-named point, passing the air into the load relatively remote from the first-named point, and then passing the air through the load to the firstnamed point.

4. A method of conditioning the load of a freight car in which a space. is left between the top of the load and the top of the car comprising withdrawing air from the center of the car at a point beneath the load level, conditioning the air exterior of the car, introducing the conditioned air to the above-mentioned space at the center of the car and through one side thereof, confining the airflow in said space to prevent the air from passing from said space into the top of the load adjacent the center of the car while passing the air into the load adjacent the ends of the car, and then passing the air through the load to the first-named point.

5. A method of conditioning the .load of a freight car which consists in covering a portion of the load with a substantially air-impervious member extending a' substantial length of the car, withdrawing air from the car from below the said member and at the center of the car, conditioning the air exteriorly of the car, introducing the conditioned air to the car above the said member, and directing the air toward one end of the car and thence to the outlet from the car.

6. A method of conditioning a load in a freight car comprising withdrawing air from the load at a point below the load level, conditioning the air, introducing the conditioned air to the loadreceiving space of the car above the load, introducing a controlled and relatively small amount of the air into the load through the top thereof at a point substantially above the first-named point, and introducing the major part of 'the air to the load at a point relatively remote from the firstnamed point, and passing the air through the load to the first-named point.

'7. A. method of conditioning the load of a freight car comprising withdrawing air from the car below the top of the load, conditioning the air exterior of the car, introducing the conditioned air to the car in a stream and directing it against a plane surffie substantially at right angles to the stream of air and above the load level in the vicinity of its point of introduction, passing the air into the top of the load at a point remote from its point of withdrawal from the car and then passing the air through the load to said point of withdrawal.

8. An apparatus for conditioning the load of a freight car comprising" means extending over a substantial portion of the load at the center of the car and adapted to substantially prevent the passage of air therethrough, an air-conditioning unit located outside of the car, means for conveying air from the unit to the car and in communication with the interior of the car above the cover, and a means for conveying air from the car to the unit and in communication with the interior of the car below the cover.

9. An apparatus for conditioning the load of a freight car comprising a cover extending over a substantial portion of the load near the center of the car and adapted to prevent the passage of any air therethrough, an air conditioning unit located outside of the car, a conduit adapted to convey air from the unit to the car above the cover, and a conduit to convey air to the unit from the car, said last-mentioned conduit extending from a point in the car below the cover.

10. An apparatus for conditioning the load of a freight car comprising a cover extending over .a substantial portion of the load near the center of the car, said cover adapted to permit the passage of a controlled amount of air therethrough, an air conditioning unit located outside of the car, a conduit adapted to convey air from the unit to the car above the cover, and a conduit to convey air to the unit from the car, said lastmentioned conduit extending from a point in the car below the cover.

11. In an air-conditioning apparatus for'the load of a freight car, a door at the centerof the car provided with an aperture above the normal load level and an aperture below the normal load level, a member extending longitudinally from the center of the car and covering at least approximately one-third of the load, said member adapted to substantially prevent the passage of air therethrough, an air-cooling unit located exteriorly of the car, means to convey cooled air from the unit through the upper aperture of the door above the said member, and means to convey air from the car to the unit, said last mentioned means extending from the lower aperture in the 'door below said member.

12. In an air-conditioning apparatus for the load of a freight car, a door at the center of the car providedwith an aperture above the normal load level and an aperture below the normal load level, a substantially air-impervious member ex-' tending the width of the car and lying flat upon the top of the load save in the vicinity of the ends of the car, an air cooling unit located exterior of the car, a conduit to convey conditioned air from the. unit through the upper aperture of the door, and a conduit to convey air from the lower aperture of the door to the unit.

FRANK J. REILLY.

DISCLAIMER 2,961,329.Frank J. Reilly, ING COMMODITIES.

Miami, Fla.

Patent dated November 17, 1936. Disclalmer filed PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR CONDITION- Ootober 28, 1939, by the assignee, Produce Conditioners, Inc.

3. A method of conditioning a load in a freight car comprising withdrawing air from the load near the center thereof and at a point below the load level, conditioning the air, introducing the conditioned air to the load receiving space of the car at a point above the load level and near the longitudinal center of the load, confining the airflow to a space above the load to prevent its introduction into the load through the top thereof at a point substantially immediately above the first-named point, passing the air into the load relatively remote from the first-named point, and then passing the air through the load to the firstnamed point.

4. A method of conditioning the load of a freight car in which a space. is left between the top of the load and the top of the car comprising withdrawing air from the center of the car at a point beneath the load level, conditioning the air exterior of the car, introducing the conditioned air to the above-mentioned space at the center of the car and through one side thereof, confining the airflow in said space to prevent the air from passing from said space into the top of the load adjacent the center of the car while passing the air into the load adjacent the ends of the car, and then passing the air through the load to the first-named point.

5. A method of conditioning the .load of a freight car which consists in covering a portion of the load with a substantially air-impervious member extending a' substantial length of the car, withdrawing air from the car from below the said member and at the center of the car, conditioning the air exteriorly of the car, introducing the conditioned air to the car above the said member, and directing the air toward one end of the car and thence to the outlet from the car.

6. A method of conditioning a load in a freight car comprising withdrawing air from the load at a point below the load level, conditioning the air, introducing the conditioned air to the loadreceiving space of the car above the load, introducing a controlled and relatively small amount of the air into the load through the top thereof at a point substantially above the first-named point, and introducing the major part of 'the air to the load at a point relatively remote from the firstnamed point, and passing the air through the load to the first-named point.

'7. A. method of conditioning the load of a freight car comprising withdrawing air from the car below the top of the load, conditioning the air exterior of the car, introducing the conditioned air to the car in a stream and directing it against a plane surffie substantially at right angles to the stream of air and above the load level in the vicinity of its point of introduction, passing the air into the top of the load at a point remote from its point of withdrawal from the car and then passing the air through the load to said point of withdrawal.

8. An apparatus for conditioning the load of a freight car comprising" means extending over a substantial portion of the load at the center of the car and adapted to substantially prevent the passage of air therethrough, an air-conditioning unit located outside of the car, means for conveying air from the unit to the car and in communication with the interior of the car above the cover, and a means for conveying air from the car to the unit and in communication with the interior of the car below the cover.

9. An apparatus for conditioning the load of a freight car comprising a cover extending over a substantial portion of the load near the center of the car and adapted to prevent the passage of any air therethrough, an air conditioning unit located outside of the car, a conduit adapted to convey air from the unit to the car above the cover, and a conduit to convey air to the unit from the car, said last-mentioned conduit extending from a point in the car below the cover.

10. An apparatus for conditioning the load of a freight car comprising a cover extending over .a substantial portion of the load near the center of the car, said cover adapted to permit the passage of a controlled amount of air therethrough, an air conditioning unit located outside of the car, a conduit adapted to convey air from the unit to the car above the cover, and a conduit to convey air to the unit from the car, said lastmentioned conduit extending from a point in the car below the cover.

11. In an air-conditioning apparatus for'the load of a freight car, a door at the centerof the car provided with an aperture above the normal load level and an aperture below the normal load level, a member extending longitudinally from the center of the car and covering at least approximately one-third of the load, said member adapted to substantially prevent the passage of air therethrough, an air-cooling unit located exteriorly of the car, means to convey cooled air from the unit through the upper aperture of the door above the said member, and means to convey air from the car to the unit, said last mentioned means extending from the lower aperture in the 'door below said member.

12. In an air-conditioning apparatus for the load of a freight car, a door at the center of the car providedwith an aperture above the normal load level and an aperture below the normal load level, a substantially air-impervious member ex-' tending the width of the car and lying flat upon the top of the load save in the vicinity of the ends of the car, an air cooling unit located exterior of the car, a conduit to convey conditioned air from the. unit through the upper aperture of the door, and a conduit to convey air from the lower aperture of the door to the unit.

FRANK J. REILLY.

DISCLAIMER 2,961,329.Frank J. Reilly, ING COMMODITIES.

Miami, Fla.

Patent dated November 17, 1936. Disclalmer filed PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR CONDITION- Ootober 28, 1939, by the assignee, Produce Conditioners, Inc. 

